{"id":98,"date":"2026-11-05T17:52:10","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T17:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/plc\/?page_id=98"},"modified":"2026-11-05T19:25:45","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T19:25:45","slug":"chapter-4","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/plc\/professional-learning-community\/clinical-handbook-for-students-and-educators\/chapter-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Roles and Responsibilities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tStudent Resources<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tEducator Resources<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tClinical Handbook<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Handbook Quick links:<\/p>\n

Clinical Experience Framework<\/a>
\nPlacement Policies\/Procedures<\/a>
\nRoles and Responsibilities<\/a>
\nExpectations and Ethical Conduct<\/a>
\nPolicies and Requirements<\/a>
\nAssessment and Evaluation\u00a0<\/a>
\nProcedures and Daily Expectations<\/a>
\nSupport and Resolution Processes<\/a>
\nCompleting the Experience<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Roles and Responsibilities <\/strong>Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n

Successful clinical experiences depend upon strong collaboration among teacher candidates, mentor teachers, university faculty and program representatives, school administrators, and the Clinical Experiences Office. Each partner contributes essential knowledge, support, and guidance to ensure candidates have meaningful opportunities to develop as effective educators.<\/p>\n

Clear communication, shared expectations, and professional collaboration create the foundation for successful clinical experiences. This chapter outlines the responsibilities of each stakeholder throughout the clinical experience sequence.<\/p>\n

Teacher Candidate Responsibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

Teacher candidates are developing professionals who are expected to actively participate in their clinical experiences and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required of effective educators. Candidates are responsible for:<\/p>\n

Professional Preparation – <\/strong>Candidates will:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Review and understand clinical experience requirements.<\/li>\n
  • Become familiar with this handbook and program expectations.<\/li>\n
  • Complete all required clinical documentation.<\/li>\n
  • Prepare adequately for classroom participation and instructional responsibilities.<\/li>\n
  • Maintain required academic and program standards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Professional Conduct – <\/strong>Candidates are expected to:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions.<\/li>\n
    • Maintain confidentiality regarding students, families, and school personnel.<\/li>\n
    • Follow school district, school, and university policies.<\/li>\n
    • Demonstrate ethical decision-making.<\/li>\n
    • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.<\/li>\n
    • Represent Marshall University and the teaching profession positively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Participation and Instruction – <\/strong>Candidates will:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Attend all scheduled clinical experiences.<\/li>\n
      • Arrive on time and prepared.<\/li>\n
      • Participate actively in classroom and school activities.<\/li>\n
      • Observe, assist, teach, and reflect according to their clinical phase.<\/li>\n
      • Complete assigned responsibilities.<\/li>\n
      • Seek opportunities to learn from classroom experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Reflection and Growth – <\/strong>Candidates are expected to:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Accept feedback as an essential part of professional development.<\/li>\n
        • Reflect on instructional decisions and student learning.<\/li>\n
        • Identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.<\/li>\n
        • Apply feedback to strengthen teaching practice.<\/li>\n
        • Demonstrate continuous growth throughout the clinical sequence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Mentor Teacher Responsibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Mentor teachers play a critical role in preparing future educators by providing guidance, modeling effective practice, and supporting candidate development. Mentor teachers serve as professional role models and collaborators who help candidates connect educational theory with classroom practice. Mentor teachers are responsible for:<\/p>\n

          Creating a Supportive Learning Environment – <\/strong>Mentor teachers will:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Welcome candidates into the classroom and school community.<\/li>\n
          • Introduce candidates to classroom procedures and expectations.<\/li>\n
          • Encourage active participation.<\/li>\n
          • Provide opportunities for observation, collaboration, and teaching.<\/li>\n
          • Support candidates as they assume increasing responsibility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Modeling Effective Practice – <\/strong>Mentor teachers will:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Demonstrate effective instructional strategies.<\/li>\n
            • Model classroom management techniques.<\/li>\n
            • Share approaches for lesson planning and assessment.<\/li>\n
            • Demonstrate professionalism and ethical practice.<\/li>\n
            • Provide insight into the responsibilities of educators.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Providing Feedback and Support – <\/strong>Mentor teachers will:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Communicate regularly with candidates.<\/li>\n
              • Provide constructive feedback.<\/li>\n
              • Encourage reflection and professional growth.<\/li>\n
              • Discuss instructional decisions and student learning.<\/li>\n
              • Support candidates in responding to feedback.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Supporting Assessment – <\/strong>Mentor teachers will:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Provide feedback regarding candidate performance.<\/li>\n
                • Complete required evaluations and documentation.<\/li>\n
                • Communicate concerns related to candidate progress.<\/li>\n
                • Collaborate with university faculty and program representatives when needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  COEPD and Program Support Responsibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  COEPD faculty and program representatives support candidates by connecting coursework, clinical expectations, and professional development. Their role is to provide guidance, monitor progress, and support successful completion of clinical experiences. COEPD faculty and program representatives are responsible for:<\/p>\n

                  Program Guidance – <\/strong>They will:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Communicate clinical expectations and requirements.<\/li>\n
                  • Provide guidance related to educator preparation standards.<\/li>\n
                  • Support candidates in connecting coursework with clinical practice.<\/li>\n
                  • Assist candidates in understanding professional expectations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Candidate Support and Progress Monitoring – <\/strong>They will:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Monitor candidate progress through program assessments.<\/li>\n
                    • Provide guidance regarding professional growth.<\/li>\n
                    • Collaborate with mentor teachers and school partners as needed.<\/li>\n
                    • Support candidates in addressing challenges or concerns.<\/li>\n
                    • Assist in determining readiness for advancement through clinical experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Collaboration – <\/strong>COEPD faculty and program representatives will:<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • Maintain communication with the Clinical Experiences Office.<\/li>\n
                      • Collaborate with mentor teachers and school personnel.<\/li>\n
                      • Support continuous improvement of clinical experiences.<\/li>\n
                      • Use feedback from stakeholders to strengthen educator preparation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Clinical Experiences Office Responsibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        The Clinical Experiences Office provides coordination and operational support for the clinical experience process. The office is responsible for:<\/p>\n

                        Placement Coordination – <\/strong>The Clinical Experiences Office will:<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Develop and maintain partnerships with P\u201312 schools.<\/li>\n
                        • Coordinate clinical placements.<\/li>\n
                        • Communicate placement information to candidates.<\/li>\n
                        • Support placement processes and documentation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Communication and Support – <\/strong>The Clinical Experiences Office will:<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • Provide information regarding clinical requirements.<\/li>\n
                          • Support candidates, schools, and university personnel.<\/li>\n
                          • Facilitate communication among stakeholders.<\/li>\n
                          • Maintain records related to clinical experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Program Support – <\/strong>The Clinical Experiences Office will:<\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • Monitor completion of clinical requirements.<\/li>\n
                            • Support implementation of clinical policies and procedures.<\/li>\n
                            • Collaborate with programs to address concerns.<\/li>\n
                            • Assist with continuous improvement efforts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              School Administrator and Partner Responsibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

                              School administrators and district partners provide essential support by creating environments where candidates can learn, participate, and grow. School administrators and partners are responsible for:<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • Supporting clinical placement opportunities.<\/li>\n
                              • Welcoming candidates into the school community.<\/li>\n
                              • Communicating school expectations and procedures.<\/li>\n
                              • Supporting collaboration between schools and the university.<\/li>\n
                              • Encouraging professional participation.<\/li>\n
                              • Helping ensure candidates have meaningful learning experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Communication Expectations<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                Effective communication is essential to successful clinical experiences. All stakeholders are expected to:<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • Communicate respectfully and professionally.<\/li>\n
                                • Address questions and concerns in a timely manner.<\/li>\n
                                • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.<\/li>\n
                                • Share information that supports candidate growth.<\/li>\n
                                • Collaborate to resolve challenges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Candidates should communicate concerns early and seek assistance from appropriate university or school personnel.<\/p>\n

                                  Addressing Concerns During Clinical Experiences<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                  Concerns related to candidate performance, professional conduct, placement experiences, or expectations should be addressed through collaborative communication. The recommended process is:<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  1. Candidate discusses concerns with the appropriate individual when appropriate.<\/li>\n
                                  2. Mentor teacher and\/or university faculty and program support provide guidance.<\/li>\n
                                  3. The Clinical Experiences Office is involved when additional support or intervention is needed.<\/li>\n
                                  4. A plan for improvement or resolution may be developed when appropriate.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                    The goal of addressing concerns is to support candidate growth while maintaining professional standards.<\/p>\n

                                    Shared Commitment to Candidate Success<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                    Clinical experiences are a shared responsibility among all partners. Teacher candidates, mentor teachers, university faculty and program representatives, school administrators, and the Clinical Experiences Office work together to prepare educators who are knowledgeable, reflective, ethical, and prepared to serve diverse learners.Through collaboration, communication, and professional support, clinical experiences provide candidates with the foundation necessary for successful entry into the teaching profession.<\/p>\n

                                    Chapter Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                    Each member of the clinical experience community plays an important role in supporting candidate development. Clear responsibilities and strong partnerships ensure candidates receive the guidance, feedback, and experiences needed to grow as educators.<\/p>\n

                                    The next chapter focuses on professional expectations and ethical conduct, including confidentiality, communication, professional behavior, and the responsibilities candidates have as representatives of Marshall University and the teaching profession.<\/p>\n

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